LANSING, MI -- Michigan residents making charitable donations may often end up sending more to professional fundraisers than their pet causes, according to a new report released this week by Attorney General Bill Schuette.

While some charities fundraise internally, others hire professional fundraisers to seek donations on their behalf, especially when trying to generate new donors. Last year, those professional organizations pocketed approximately 65 percent of the funds they raised in Michigan, according to the state's first annual Professional Fundraising Charitable Solicitation Report.

"Michigan citizens have generous hearts and deserve to know how much of their donation actually makes it to their intended charity, especially in these times when every dollar makes a difference," Schuette said in a release announcing the report. "Donors might be surprised to know that, on average, only thirty-five cents of each dollar collected through professional fundraisers are passed on to the charity."

The report, Schuette said, is designed to hold professional fundraisers accountable and make charities more transparent so that donors can "do as much good as possible."

Charities should spend no more than 35 percent of related contributions -- including donations, legacies and other gifts -- on fundraising, according to the Better Business Bureau. And while those who rely only on professional fundraisers may not be meeting that mark, it's important to note that the AG's report does not include internal fundraising by a charity's employees or volunteers.

A 2003 U.S. Supreme Court decision prevents states from requiring that a minimum percentage of each donation go to a charity, according to Schuette, and so many state attorneys general have begun publishing data that professional fundraisers are required to submit.

Charity Navigator, a New Jersey-based nonprofit that seeks to facilitate intelligent giving, advises donors to avoid professional fundraisers that call on behalf of non-profit organizations. But as you can see in the report, some of those fundraisers do end up sending a substantial portion of the donations they collect to charities.